Mission Statement
Study in the School of Theatre and Dance leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The theatre, dance and musical theatre concentrations will provide students with the skills required for graduate study and for employment in theatre and dance. The theoretical lessons of the classroom are complete only when applied in the context of active learning with practical work in studios and theatres. The course work includes: performance techniques, business management, dance composition, directing, scenic and costume design, technology, theatre and dance history and literary theory. Students think critically as they evaluate performances, designs, literary texts and practical projects. Such a broad-based liberal arts curriculum prepares students to pursue lifelong learning.

Goals
The School of Theatre and Dance aims to provide students with:

an ability to understand and express conceptual knowledge.

an appreciation of the great works of theatre and dance.

an appreciation of theatre and dance as they exist on television, in films, on the stage and in other daily activities.

preparation to work within a group toward a defined goal.

preparation for a professional career in theatre and dance.

preparation for graduate-level studies in theatre and dance.

The school also seeks:

to support and enrich interdisciplinary and other academic programs at James Madison University.

to provide artistic stimulation and cultural enrichment to the extended community of James Madison University and the Shenandoah Valley.

Career Opportunities
For information about career opportunities in theatre and dance, contact the appropriate coordinator.

Dr. Roger Hall, theatre coordinator

Mr. Shane O'Hara, dance coordinator

Ms. Kate Arecchi, musical theatre coordinator

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
The School of Theatre and Dance offers a number of co-curricular activities and organizations. They allow students to apply and experiment with the theories they learn in the classroom and gain practical experience in their field.

Alpha Psi Omega

Children's Playshop

Contemporary Dance Ensemble

Dance Studio Productions

Dance Theatre

Experimental Theatre Productions

Mainstage Productions

Stratford Players

Virginia Repertory Dance Company

Special Admission and Retention Requirements
Admission to the dance concentration is competitive and an audition/interview is required. Contact the dance office by calling (540) 568-6511 for current audition information.

Admission to the musical theatre concentration is competitive and an audition is required. Contact the school office by calling (540) 568-6342 for current audition information.

A grade of "C-" or better must be achieved in all courses that apply to a major in the School of Theatre and Dance. All School of Theatre and Dance majors must complete the General Education program. Theatre/Musical Theatre concentration students cannot take GTHEA 210. Introduction to Theatre, to meet the fine arts/aesthetics requirements. Courses from other departments may not be counted both for the School of Theatre and Dance major and for another major.

Degree and Major Requirements Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance
The School of Theatre and Dance offers one B.A. major with a choice of three concentrations: theatre, dance or musical theatre. A theatre and dance major must fulfill core requirements and the requirements of a particular concentration.
Degree Requirements

Required Courses

Credit Hours

General Education1

41

Foreign Language classes(intermediate level required)2

0-14

Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses)

3

University electives

4-34

Major requirements (listed below)

42-58

120

1The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student's chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures' placement test.

Major Requirements
All students pursuing a B.A. degree in the School of Theatre and Dance must complete the core requirements listed below.

1DANC 140 and DANC 245 are not core options for the dance concentration. 2DANC 146 is not a core option for the musical theatre concentration.

Concentrations
In addition to meeting the core requirements, students must choose a concentration and complete the concentration requirements. The concentrations and their requirements are listed here.

1THEA 390, Directed Projects; THEA 490, Special Studies; THEA 499 Honors: No more than four hours of practicums may be applied to the theatre concentration, and no more than 10 hours of special studies (including practicums) may be applied to the theatre concentration.

1 The student is required to complete four credits each in modern and ballet technique at the intermediate to advanced-intermediate level, with placement to be assessed in conference with dance faculty. Modern, ballet and jazz technique classes all have an advanced level course in the curriculum. Above requirements are the minimum level expected of dance concentration students. Most majors will take technique courses as university electives through out their study in the dance program.

In addition to general education and theatre and dance requirements, students desiring PreK-12 teaching licensure in dance must complete 19 credits of additional course work in kinesiology, health science, education and psychology and 16 credits of student teaching. It is necessary to be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in professional education courses.

Course Requirements
Students seeking licensure are encouraged to consult regularly with the faculty adviser of dance education. The undergraduate degree leading to licensure must include the following minimum requirements in dance:

Credit must be earned in each area - ballet, folk, jazz and modern
dance (8 credits)
Credit must be earned beyond the beginning level of ballet, folk, jazz
or modern dance (3 credits)
Credit must be earned in dance composition, dance improvisation
and dance production (minimum of 7 credits)
Credit must be earned in human anatomy, kinesiology, and injury
prevention and care for dance (9 credits)
Credit must be earned in history of dance (3 credits)

The following is a list of the required courses leading to PreK-12 dance licensure and a suggested sequence of when each may be taken.

Creative Writing Minor
The interdisciplinary minor in creative writing is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their writing talents across a number of literary forms and communication contexts. For more detailed information on the minor in creative writing, refer to the section on Interdisciplinary Programs.

Film Studies Minor
The interdisciplinary minor in film studies is designed for students who wish to extend their critical understanding of visual communication and narrative form by studying how movies tell stories, convey information and influence audiences. For more detailed information on the minor in film studies, refer to the section on Interdisciplinary Programs.

Credit by Examination
A student may earn credit for a course in the School of Theatre and Dance by passing an examination. The school administers credit by examination tests during only the first two weeks of a fall or spring semester. The tests will not be offered during summer sessions. A student can take a credit by examination test only once during a semester.

A student must request permission for credit by examination by the end of the semester that precedes the semester in which he or she wants to take the examination. Theatre and dance majors who want to meet a major requirement through examination must take the examination before their final year of study. The school does not offer credit by examination for performance or design courses such as acting, directing, scene design, lighting design, costume design, makeup, stage management, dance technique, composition and ensembles.